Hey all, I'm building a run for my 8 ducks, it's 20 x 16. Just past the run, toward going toward the back of the property, the ground slopes down to a small stream. MY soil doesn NOT drain well, as I've learned since having ducks! They hatched in September. I'm thinking of some mix of sand and pea gravel, but I think I will definatley need to drain things. Do I need concrete? a grate over it? pipe? thanks for any help!
Dawn

Frankly you could just dig a trench or two (sloping appropriately) and then backfill with gravel, top with small gravel, and call it good. It will silt up faster than a Proper French Drain and of course look more conspicuous but will still WORK pretty well, for less labor.

I would also suggest googling riparian buffer. Basically, grow wet loving plants, moderately tall to slow the water down and give it a chance to soak in. If you really want to put in a drain, I would put it above your run. It doesn't have to be that complex either. A trench lined with a thin layer of stone will channel.the water and minimize erosion.

Quote:You need to be careful if you drain into the creek, as it may be considered illegal.
Droppings, high in nitrogen could eventually leach into the ground and into the drain system, and make it's way to the creek. If it is a fish bearing creek fines could be pretty stiff.

I'm no expert, and I didn't have a slope or creek to drain into. My primary concern was to give water/rain someplace to drain so it can eventually be absorbed into the soil, without causing a muddy mess in the run in the mean time.

My "duck house" is about 8'x15', and here's what I did:

I used a concrete perimeter foundation, and dug out the entire inside after the concrete set up. Then, I laid down a layer of landscaping cloth:

Then I laid down a couple of inches of gravel, followed by some perforated PVC tubing of the same type used for French drains. Obviously, the tubing won't drain the water anywhere, but it added some empty air pockets in the gravel that can fill with water until it can be absorbed by the ground:

Then, I covered all the PVC with more gravel:

Then, I added another layer of landscaping cloth and finished it off with sand:

I've only got 3 Muscovies, and they only have the small pond visible in the photos, and some drinking water. But the sides of the run are pretty open, and the roof will only provide so much protection from rain... But, so far so good. The sand doesn't stay completely dry, obviously, but I haven't had any puddles form, and no swampy areas, despite having had alot of rain recently.